SharePoint Document Issues

Fix SharePoint Shows No Storage but Still Allows File Uploads

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users observe that SharePoint reports inaccurate storage information, indicating no storage space is available, yet it continues to allow new sites to be created and files to be uploaded.

Fix SharePoint Showing No Storage but Still Allowing File Uploads

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Monitoring SharePoint storage metrics and managing site quotas.
Observed behavior: SharePoint storage information is delayed or inaccurate, showing zero storage available while still permitting uploads. Additionally, recycle bin contents may be unknowingly consuming the storage quota.

Before you start

Verify that you have SharePoint Administrator permissions to access the Microsoft 365 admin center and run the necessary diagnostic tools.

Solution 1Recommended

Run the SharePoint Online Out-of-Storage Diagnostic Tool

Use Microsoft's built-in diagnostic tool to identify the actual storage usage and resolve discrepancies between the displayed quota and real usage.

There is often a delay between actual storage usage and the value displayed in the SharePoint admin center. This diagnostic tool forces a check on the backend storage information to provide an accurate reading.

Open Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Launch the Diagnostic Tool

Navigate to the Help & Support section and type 'Run SharePoint Online out-of-storage diagnostic' in the search bar to launch the test.

Review the Results

Examine the actual usage and quota presented by the tool to determine your true storage availability.

Run the SharePoint Online Out-of-Storage Diagnostic Tool

Information Sync Delay: File uploading may continue until a backend process officially updates the quota status. If values remain inconsistent after 24 hours, use the 'Contact Support' option directly from the diagnostic results page.

Solution 2

Empty the Recycle Bins to Free Up Quota

Because deleted files still consume storage space while in the recycle bin, clearing it can immediately free up backend storage capacity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the SharePoint recycle bin count toward my storage limit?

Yes, all files stored in both the first-stage and second-stage recycle bins count against your total SharePoint storage quota until they are permanently deleted.

Why can I still upload files if SharePoint says my storage is full?

SharePoint updates storage metrics via backend processes that run periodically. During this delay, the admin center might show full or empty storage, but the enforcement of limits won't activate until the backend sync completes.

How do I purchase more storage space for SharePoint Online?

If you have genuinely reached your quota, global or billing admins can purchase the 'Office 365 Extra File Storage' add-on via the Billing section in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

Document & File Issues